Sheet metal container



May 21, 1940. M. SCHWARTZ SHEET METAL CONTAINER Filed Aug. 51, 1938 Patented May 21, 1940 SHEET METAL CONTAINER Morris Schwartz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Barrel Fitting & Seal Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 31, 1938, Serial No. 227,615

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a sheet metal container used in shipping or in storing liquids or semi-liquids and has special reference to an open ended sheet metal container having a sheet metal closure for the open end thereof held in a scaled relation with and against displacement therefrom by an inflatable tube.

More particularly, this invention relates to a container comprising an open ended sheet metal shell having a peripheral rim extending angularly from the side wall of the shell at the open end thereof and being fixed thereto, and a sheet metal closure for enclosing the open end of the shell with the closure comprising an end'wall having a peripheral flange extending angularly therefrom and being fixed thereto, there being a substantially channel-shaped ring for co-operation with the peripheral rim and flange to form an annular housing for receiving a compressible means disposed in the housing for holding the closure in a sealed relation with and against displacement from the open end of the shell when in an extended condition. The ring has a portion thereof extending in a plane below the rim of the shell and is held against axial displacement in one direction and is permitted axial movement in the other direction subject to the resiliency of the compressible means.

In the above type of container, closed as for use, it must be capable of withstanding without leakage a test prescribed by the Government. This test must be made by any company starting production on samples taken at random of each type and size of container and must be repeated every four months or less during production with samples of the last tests retained until further tests are made. The test described by the Government is made by dropping a container filled with water to 98% capacity, from a height of four feet onto solid concrete so as to strike diagonally on the chime. Also, additional tests on any other parts which might be considered weaker than the chime must be made.

In the present construction, a reinforcing ring is mounted so that it bears on a compressible means such as an inflatable tube preferably'of rubber and inflated with any suitable fluid such as air or water. The reinforcing ring is free to move downwardly so that when the test is made in the above manner, or if it receives a blow in the handling thereof during shipment, the

shock accompanying the blow will be absorbed by 4 the inflatable tube and not by the barrel stock.

The present invention contemplates further, in the manufacture of sheet metal containers of the type indicated above, that the shells thereof, rolled into approximate circles or into the forms in which they are to be used, may be accommodated in the sealing of a closure of predetermined shape thereon even though the resultant shapes of the engaged portions of the shells vary quite substantially. The closure in the form of a'sheet metal plate has a periphery which is ordinarily die-cut and so formed that a constant configuration is maintained. However, the peripheral configuration of the closure, while constant, must be adapted to be fitted in a container having the I a container of the character indicated above in which the reinforcing ring is mounted so that it bears on a compressible means such as an inflatable tube so that the ring is free to move downwardly upon receipt of a blow with an attendant absorption of the shock by the inflatable tube instead of by the material of the barrel.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a sheet metal container of the type hereinbefore mentioned wherein the closure may be fitted to the open end of the container which latter may vary in size and shape and yet obtain an efficient seal.

Also, it is an object of this invention to provide a sheet metal container of the type above mentioned which is simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is durable.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front. elevational view partially in section of a sheet metal container embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the sectional portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionalview similar to Fig. 2 of a modified form of construction embodying the features of this inventin and Fig. 4 is anenlarged fragmentary sectional view of the valve stem and sealing means therefor.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the-present invention is shown as being embodied in an open ended sheet metal shell l having a peripheral rim ll extending angularly from the side wall of the shell at the open end thereof. The rim is preferably formed by bending the material bounding the open end of the shell radially inwardly and thereafter outwardly upon itself beyond the side wall of the shell a substantial distance, the free end being turned under and terminating at the side wall. In the illustration of the drawing, the rim is of arcuate cross section although, as will hereinafter be more fully apparent, the rim may be flat, polygonal or of any other desired shape. p

A sheet metal closure is provided for enclosing the open end of the shell, the closure comprising an end wall l2 having a peripheral flange I3 extending angularly therefrom. The flange I3 is preferably formed by bendingthe material bounding the periphery of the end wall inwardlyin a direction toward the interior of the container and thereafter outwardly upon itself beyond the end wall. At least the intermediate portion of the flange is preferably of arcuate cross section although as is the case of the rim II the cross section may vary as desired depending upon the elements co-operating therewith.

A substantially channel-shaped ring I4 is provided for co-operation with the peripheral rim I I and the peripheral flange I3 to form a housing for receiving therewithin a compressible means such as an inflatable tube IS. The channelshaped ring I is of substantially arcuate cross;

section for co-operating with the arcuate rim I l and arcuate flange I 3 to form the housing of substantially circular cross section. The inflatable tube I5 is likewise preferably of substantially circular' cross section although the co-operating elements may form a non-circular or polygonal contour for receiving asimilarly contoured inflatable tube.

A portion of the ringlextends below the rim I l and is held thereby against axial displacement from the open end of the sheet metal shell in one direction although the ring has relative axial movement in the other direction subject to the compressibility of the inflatable tube. The tube I5 is inflated with any suitable fluid such as air or water and any blow or shock on the reinforcing ring [4 is absorbed by the inflatable tube, the ring having movement axially of the barrel in one direction, movement in the other direction being limited by the engagement of a portion of the ring with the underneath surface of the outwardly extending portion of the rim H'. V

The flange l3 lies in a plane substantially parallel with the side wall III of the shell and within the internal portion of the rim II. It may be desirable to have the flange l3 extend in one direction beyond the plane of the rim II in order to form a complete housing for the inflatable tube and, also, to act as a further guide in directing the axial movement of the ring M as the inflatable tube is compressed in the absorption of shocks or blows, the closure l2 together with its flange l3 being axially moved with the ring H. The outer end of the flange l3 may preferably impinge as at l6 upon the outside of a portion of the ring l4.

During shipment of a sheet metal container of the character described above, the handling termine whether or not such containers are satisfactory for use. Since the chimes of the containers ordinarily receive the most severe usage by reason of tumbling the barrels in handling and, since the barrels are more readily and easily handled when rolled on a rim or chime, the present invention as above recited contemplates the absorption of the blows or shocks accompanying such handling by a compressible material such as an inflatable tube, thereby relieving the material of the barrel of these strains.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, the open ended sheet metal shell I! is provided with a'peripheral rim l8 extending angularly from the wall at the open end thereof. The wall is preferably reinforced at the open end with a collar portion l9 having an angularly outwardly extending flange 20. The rim I8 is preferably formed by bending the material bounding the open end of the shell radially inwardly and thereafter outwardly upon itself beyond the side wall of the shell a substantial distance, the free end being turned under the flange of the reinforcing member and terminating at the collar portion [9.

A sheet metal closure is provided for enclosing the open end of the shell as in the previously described flgures, the closure comprising an end wall 2| having a peripheral flange 22 extending angularly therefrom cooperating with the rim l8 and a substantially channel-shaped ring 23 to form a housing for enclosing a compressible means such as an inflatable tube 24. The housing formed by the rim, flange and ring members is preferably of circular cross section although the section may be varied as desired.

The inflatable tube 24, if such is desired to be used, is provided with a valve stem 25 which is shown as being sealed to .prevent undetectable access by a sealing cap 26. The bore of the valve stem is internally threaded to receive a plug 21 for sealing the tube, the latter also preferably being provided with the usual valve (not shown).

The valve stem is also externally provided with an annular groove 28 into which the skirt of the cap 26 may be crimped for preventing access to the plug 21 and the usual valve. The sealing cap is formed of a very thin sheet metal and must be destroyed to be removed which prevents access to the tube 24 being undetectable, access being necessary before the closure may beremoved from the container.

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising an open ended sheet metal shell having a peripheral rim bent angularly inwardly and outwardly upon itself beyond the side wall of the shell from the material at the open end thereof, a sheet metal closure for enclosing the open end of the shell, said closure comprising an end wall having a peripheral flange bent angularly inwardly and outwardly upon itself from the material of the end wall, a substantially channel-shaped ring for co-operation with said peripheral rim and flange to form an annular housing, and an inflatable tube disposed in said housing for holding said closure in a sealed relation with and against displacement from the open end of said shell when in an inflated condition, said ring having a portion thereof extending below said rim of said shell and being held against axial displacement thereby in one direction and being permitted axial movement in the other direction subject to the compressibility of said inflatable tube.

2. A container comprising an open ended sheet metal shell having a peripheral rim extending angularly outwardly beyond the side wall of the shell at the open end thereof and being fixed thereto, a sheet metal closure for enclosing the open end of the shell, said closure comprising an end wall having a peripheral flange extending angularly outwardly therefrom and being fixed thereto, a substantially channel-shaped ring for co-operation with said peripheral rim and flange to form an annular housing, the end of the extending portion of the flange impinging upon the outside of said'ring, and an inflatable tube disposed in said housing for holding said closure in a sealed relation with and against displacement from the open end of said shell when in an inflated condition, said ring having a portion thereof extending below said rim of said shell and being held against axial displacement thereby in one direction and being permitted axial movement in the other direction subject to the compressibility of said inflatable tube.

3. A container comprising an open ended sheet metal shell having a peripheral rim extending angularly outwardly beyond the side wall of the shell at the open end thereof and being fixed thereto, said rim being of arcuate cross section, a sheet metal closure for enclosing the open end of the shell, said closure comprising an end wall having a peripheral flange extending angularly outwardly therefrom and being fixed thereto, said flange being of arcuate cross section, a substantially channel-shaped ring of substantially arcuate cross section for co-operation with said peripheral rim and flange to form an annular housing of circular cross section, and an inflatable tube disposed in said housing for holding said closure in a sealed relation with and against displacement from the open end of said shell when in an inflated condition, said ring having a portion thereof extending below said rim of said shell and being held against axial displacement thereby in one direction and being permitted axial movement in the other direction subject to the compressibility of said inflatable tube.

4. A container comprising an open ended sheet metal shell having a peripheral ,rim bent angularly inwardly and outwardly upon itself beyond the side wall of the shell from the material at the open end thereof, a reinforcing collar about the open end of said shell below said rim, a flange extending radially outwardly from said reinforcing collar, the free end of said rim being bent inwardly below the flange of said reinforcing collar, a sheet metal closure for enclosing the open end of the shell, said closure comprising an end wall having a peripheral flange bent angularly inwardly and outwardly upon itself from the material of the end wall, a substantially channel-shaped ring for co-operation with said peripheral rim and flange to form an annular housing, and an inflatable tube disposed in said housing for holding said closure in a sealed relation with and against displacement from the open end of said shell when in an inflated condition, said ring having a portion thereof extending about said collar below said rim of said shell and being held against axial displacement thereby in. one direction and being permitted axial movement in the other direction subject to the compressibility of said inflatable tube.

MORRIS SCHWARTZ. 

